The Albemarle County Architectural Review Board directed staff and the applicant for Crozet Fast Mart (store no. 3516) to return for a follow-up work session to evaluate alternate masonry coatings, including limewash or mineral staining, after comparing three opaque paint schemes.

Margaret (staff) reminded the board that the building sits in the downtown Crozet National Register Historic District and that staff’s October recommendation was to avoid painting brick. Staff presented three options: a single opaque gray (Sherwin-Williams 'Mystic Shade'), a two-tone scheme with iron-ore base, and a two-tone with a tan upper wall. Staff cautioned that painting brick and mortar would reduce visible mortar coursing and change the building’s texture compared with renderings.

Eric Warner of GPM Investments, the applicant, said the company has redeveloped several stores and views an exterior change as an important signal to customers. "What we've discovered in our business is that when we make a change on the outside, we see an immediate jump, 4 or 5% year over year," he said, urging the board to allow a visible change while acknowledging the board’s preservation concerns.

Board members debated opaque paint versus a more transparent limewash or mineral stain that would preserve masonry detail. Several members preferred a limewash or stain option that would allow mortar and coursing to remain visible; others said a simpler, muted gray could work if needed. The applicant said its preference is paint because it is easier to match and repair, but that it is willing to return with alternate-coating examples if necessary.

A motion to plan a work session focused on alternate coatings passed by voice vote. The applicant agreed to search for precedent photos and manufacturer options to illustrate what a limewash or mineral stain would look like in practice. The board asked staff to schedule the follow-up work session and to consider fading the cupola color to a less-saturated red if paint is chosen.

Next steps: applicant to provide examples of alternate coatings and staff to schedule a work session to review those options and any revised drawings.